The deflagration of single crystals of ammonium perchlorate

Abstract

By means of high-speed motion photography the deflagration rate of single crystals of pure ammonium perchlorate was measured from the deflagration pressure limit to 5000 psia at ambient temperatures of 89, 23, and −28°C. The 23°C burning rate isotherm, which was consistently lower than the 89°C isotherm and above the −28°C isotherm, rose to a relative maximum, dropped to a relative minimum, and then rose again as the pressure was increased to 5000 psia. The −28°C isotherm was measured between 415 and 565 psia and between 2000 and 4500 psia and had an apparent discontinuity between these two pressure regions. Within the accuracy of the data the deflagration rate was not influenced by the pressurization gas, either nitrogen or helium, by the crystallographic axis of the deflagration wave proceeding through the crystal, or by natural convection.